Hi All,
I'm an out of towner who needs advice on how to get to PacBell stadium. I hear trying to drive to the stadium and find parking is a nightmare. To make matters worse it is for the Giants/A's series. Should I completely forget about trying to drive and use public transportation? Any advice from the local experts will be much appreciated. Thank You.

Kevin:

Try and take public transit. Traffic will be frustrating at best.

Happy Travels
Oaktown

Hi Kevin. We've done this about 3 times this year--never try to drive, although it's possible, it's very agravating. Take the subway from Market and California Streets to the end of the line at China Basin. There are people in the subway who will direct you so you can't possible get lost. Just follow the crowds wearing Giant clothing. You will need to buy tokens before boarding the train. After the game, you literally walk across the street, buy a return ticket, and board the train to return. Alternatively, if you are down the peninsula, you can take Cal Train to the last stop and walk down the street to Pac Bell. It's a great ball park and was specifically designed for people to take public transportation. Don't forget a jacket:if the weather is a bit chilly in the city, it will be colder at the park.

Don't know your "starting point' ?
However, if from anywhere in north bay area--Marin area-Larkspur Ferry takes you right to the park!! The landing is in the bay of course at centerfield. Ramp up to park entgrance. Only "catch" Ferry does not service ALL games You would need to check their web site.Check www.sfgate.com which is Chronicles site and has PAC BELL site with all sorts of transportation options.
Good Luck..

Thanks all for the replies. Sorry, I forgot to mention my starting point. Were staying at the Embassy Suites San Francisco Airport-Burlingame. We will have a car and will be coming from Napa - to the game - and than staying at the embassy suites.

I also forgot to mention we were given a free parking pass. Would this make any difference?

Kevin -- From there, I would drive.

Assuming that your parking pass is for lot A or B:

Take 101 North past Candlestick and onto 280 N. Get off on Mariposa Street. Follow the other ballpark traffic to 3rd Street and turn left. You take that 5-6 blocks and turn left on to the parking lot street. Lot A will be on your right, Lot B on your Left.

Give yourself an hour, but chance are that it will take about half that.

One more thing: GO GIANTS!

Kevin, you're coming from Napa, right? The above directions are coming from Burlingame. Hope someone can direct you from Napa.

Whoops! Kam is right. I read 'Burlingame' and my fingers ran off at the mouth.

So Kevin, if you have a car, are going to be in Napa the night before & Burlingame the night after, it sounds like you're pretty committed to driving, right?

What day/night are you going to the game? I have no idea how to get there from the North Bay -- maybe check out www.sfgiants.com

Thanks Steve...The game is on Friday 6/15. We will be in Napa earlier in the day. So depending on time we may first check into the hotel and than head to the game or if we are short on time go directly to the game from Napa. Not entirely comitted to driving but an hour does not seem that bad to me. Used to waiting in huge traffic jams in NY for sporting events and an hour really does not seem so bad. One last thing, are you guranteed a spot if you have a pass for parking lot A ?

One thought--if you check into your hotel earlier in the day, ask them how to find the nearest CalTrain station. Drive there and park and take the train to the end of the line. PacBell is 1 block away and it's fun on the train. Last train leaves 30 minutes after the game, no matter what the time. Will probably take you about 20 min. on the train and you can relax. I recall the fare is $4 but I could be wrong. You'll find all the details on the CalTrain website.

Kevin -- yes, there will be parking for you. If not in lot A, I'm sure they'll let you in to Lot B.

However, I respectfully disagree with Kam about the train. I have gone to the Park from the Burlingame area about a dozen times -- twice on the train. It was an absolute nightmare getting home after the game.

The hidden secret that they don't want people to know is that driving & parking is not that bad. I have never seen Lot B full even on opening day.

With a parking pass, you're golden.

Just my 2 cents -- GO GIANTS!

Scurry, what were the problems you had getting home on the train? We've done it several times and didn't have any trouble although the last time there was a couple arguing having had too much to drink at the game. We come even farther down to Palo Alto. Please share so we can try to avoid your bad experience.

Admittedly, this was last season so they may have fixed it by now.

In the two night games I attended and took the train, the games got over around 10:15. p.m. The train didn't leave until 11:00 even though it was crammed full of people by 10:40.

One time I took it to Redwood City, the other time to Broadway Burlingame. Since the train stops at every single stop, it took forever to work its way down the Penninsula. Since I had a 20 minute drive after I got to my destination, I didn't get home until almost 1 a.m. Remember, the game ended at 10:15!

Whenever I've driven, I'm home in less than an hour.

Believe me, when they were building the Park, I was really excited about taking the train -- it just hasn't worked out as a better way (for me).

Thanks all for the advice. Can't wait to get to the game!